A California woman accused of throwing her toddler son and infant daughter from a second story balcony on Monday.
KTLA reports that 24-year-old Tierra Ortega is accused of throwing her 1-year-old son, Jericho, from a balcony at an apartment complex off of the 600 block of North Wedgewood in Upland on Tuesday morning. According to the Upland Police Department, a witness called 911 and reported seeing a woman dangling a child from a second-story balcony before tossing him. She then jumped head-first from the balcony herself.
When officers arrived, they first provided emergency aid to Ortega and Jericho. Authorities then found Ortega’s daughter, 6-month-old Ezlynn, inside Ortega’s apartment. The baby was unresponsive and likely suffered a skull fracture. Ezlynn was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead at the Loma Linda University Medical Center a few hours later. A cause of death is pending autopsy results.
“As officers were providing the child and mother first aid, additional officers conducted a safety sweep of the mother’s apartment. In the apartment, they located a 6-to 7-month-old female infant unresponsive and not breathing,” police said Tuesday.
PRESS RELEASEDATE/TIME: February 26, 2019INCIDENT: PC 187 – Homicide PC 664/187 – Attempt Homicide PC 273ab(a)…
Posted by Upland Police Department on Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Jericho had a broken foot, arm injury and head lacerations, while Ortega suffered facial injuries. Capt. Marcelo Blanco of the Upland police said Jericho is alert and eating, and if all goes well, could be released from the hospital this week.
“He is a happy little boy with a soft cast on his arm eating mashed potatoes and chicken nuggets,” Blanco told the outlet.
Meanwhile, Ortega is facing charges of suspicion of murder and attempted murder and assault of a child. She’s currently behind bars without bail at the West Valley Detention Center.
The children’s father was apparently at work when the incident occurred. Police said he was shocked to learn what happened. He’s not considered a suspect.
“The dad works for waste management in the area, and unfortunately right now he is not at work; he is at the hospital by his son’s side, which is where he needs to be,” Blanco said. “He has to worry now about burying his daughter.”
During a debriefing of this investigation it was determined the family is going to need assistance. With the Family’s support the following fundraiser is in place to give the Community the ability to help in this tragic event. pic.twitter.com/0bnBw5lcIl
— Upland Police Department (@UplandPD) February 27, 2019
The motive behind the incident is still not known. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
[Feature Photo: Tierra Ortega; Ezlynn/Upton PD]
